243. Story - Kindness isn't weakness

Review 

Dear Priyanka, @⁨Priyanka Kamath⁩ 

What a relatable and compelling narrative you’ve shared!

The opening instantly sets the scene — your cordial, smiling self contrasted against Mustafa’s bluntness feels painfully real. The simple act of holding the door, and the lack of acknowledgment, carries a quiet emotional weight that many readers will connect with.

The story unfolds smoothly, moving from a normal office morning into a subtle assertion of self-respect, and then — that calm yet firm response! It was unexpected yet perfectly fitting. The way you maintained professionalism while giving “a bit of his own medicine” keeps the tension alive and makes the moral hit even harder.

I especially liked:

The moral: “Kindness should never be mistaken for weakness, and sometimes quiet firmness speaks the loudest.” — powerful, thought-provoking, and memorable.

The pacing: from greeting → dismissal → calm response. It reads like a short, impactful life lesson.

A small suggestion: You could consider adding a tiny glimpse of your internal thought or emotion when Mustafa dismisses you — it could heighten reader empathy and make the scene even more immersive.

Overall, “Kindness Isn’t Weakness” is a strong, professional, and relatable piece. It takes a simple office moment and turns it into a lesson on respect, boundaries, and quiet strength.

With appreciation,

~ Shivangi

Powerful thought❤️

You handled a difficult situation gracefully and professionally, while sticking to your ground. It takes a lot of emotional intelligence to stay calm and deliver a strong message without escalating the conflict.

Highlighted a valuable lesson that kindness doesn’t mean giving in to others. It’s about keeping your cool and setting boundaries when others mistake your good nature for weakness, is commendable ❤️

Keep writing 

Keep shining ❤️

Kindness Isn’t Weakness

I’m usually the one with a smiling face in the office—always cordial, always kind. But sometimes, I feel that this goodness gets taken for granted.

This morning, as I entered the office, Mustafa was right behind me. Out of courtesy, I held the door open for him and greeted him with a warm “Good morning.” His response? Not a smile, not even a nod—just a blunt, “What is the status of the turbo invoice?”

I get it, we’re professionals and work conversations matter. But I’m not an AI. A simple greeting or smile doesn’t cost anything. Considering I wasn’t even at my desk yet, his approach felt dismissive and a bit mean.

Usually, I don’t speak up in such situations. But today, I did. I told him to send me an email. For someone who is “too professional” to even exchange a greeting, email feels like the right medium. I didn’t argue or raise my voice—I just gave him a bit of his own medicine, calmly.

Moral: Kindness should never be mistaken for weakness, and sometimes quiet firmness speaks the loudest.